✅ EB-1A: approval
A story of obtaining EB-1A approval after a denial and an RFE. The author shares experience strengthening the case and thanks everyone for the support.
Case parameters
Filing: December
Decision: May 2025
Timeline: 4 months after the denial
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✓Media
Positions strengthened
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✓Judging
Positions strengthened
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✓Research articles
Positions strengthened
How it all went
Dear colleagues, friends and just wonderful people of this chat — it’s time to share my joy with you and wish everyone success and good luck on this not-easy path 
yesterday I received approval four months after the denial (I’m writing this for the record as a reply to my very first message in this chat). So briefly by time: December denial, but I didn’t give up; as I wrote earlier, I read the chat, consulted with @e_akimov (I’ll say here that I’m personally grateful to Egor for everything, from moral support to practical advice and recommendations
) I started to assemble a new case and simultaneously strengthen the positions that were weak: media (here I can’t but note the promptness, responsiveness and professionalism of @Olga_Mara. Olya, thank you very much, it was a pleasure to meet you and as I said we still have a lot of untapped joint work here
), judging and research articles. April 29 the case was ready to be sent. 2025-03-04 the case was received by USCIS; 2025-03-19 RFE received; one criterion was credited
2025-04-22 USCIS accepted the response to the RFE; 2025-05-07 USCIS began actively reviewing the response to the RFE; 2025-05-08 case approved. Guys, only forward, don’t give up. This is a hard path, but the emotions you feel after a well-deserved victory are priceless! Shock, joy, moral satisfaction and much more is happening in my head right now. Once again, thank you all so much for the motivation, the sensible handling of information, to those people who are not in the chat but who provided maximum assistance throughout this difficult journey! There are no words to express my appreciation and gratitude for everything. I would appreciate tips and steps for the next stage, namely change of status (I applied from within the US, currently on student status) and all accompanying steps toward obtaining the Green Card. Again, good luck and success to everyone, all rays of support! Phew, that’s all from me, nothing more to say, emotions off the charts!
Main insight
“Don’t give up after a denial; strengthening the weak positions of your case can lead to success.”
Igor Gretsov (@IGrets)
December
Denial
2025-03-04
Case received by USCIS
2025-03-19
RFE received
2025-04-22
Response to the RFE accepted by USCIS
2025-05-08
Case approved
Author of the story
Igor Gretsov (@IGrets), from the chat @talentvisahelp. Original message in the chat.
Useful on the topic
All information about O-1 / EB-1A / EB-2 NIW
More success and denial stories: channel @o1eb1